Immersion electric heater



' May 1l, 1954 E. M. Jus-nz IMMERSION ELECTRIC HEATER Filed Feb. 12, 1955 [lll Ill F|G.4 FIG. 5

INVENTORl EUDALDQ MUNOZ JUSTIZ BY l FIG.6'

AT TOR NEY Patented May 11,A 1954 IMlMERSION ELECTRIC HEATER Eudaldo Munoz Justiz, Micanor del Camp, Mahanao, Cuba Application February 12, 1953, Serial No. 336,613

c claims. l

This invention relates to an electric heater, and more particularly to an apparatus for use in heating liquids, such as water.

This invention is an improvement over the electric heater shown and described in my Patent No. 2,533,469, dated December 12, 1950.

The object of the invention is to provide an electric heater which utilizes the ionic conductivity of the liquid being heated, such as water whereby the liquid `will act as the resistance between a pair of electrodes to cause the liquid to be eiiiciently and quickly heated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric heater which will quickly heat large quantities of water at a small cost, the water being heated by passing between a pair of electrodes which are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy and wherein the water will be heated quickly and economically.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electric heater which can be used for supplying hot `water for various appliances such as showers, or the kitchen or for a washing machine or in any other locality where large quantities of hot water are required.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric heater which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l. is a side elevational view of the heater or the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View showing the heater of the present invention attached to a water pipe and adapted to be used for supplying water to a shower.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the heater.

Figure i is a plan view of one of the caps.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the cap of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the upper portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 and showing the electrical connections.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral designates a hollow cylindrical electrode which may be made of a suitable metal, and arranged interiorly of the cylindrical electrode I is a second cylindrical electrode 22. The electrodes i and 2 are separated from each other and also are insulated from each other. Arranged at each end of the interior electrode 2 is a cap which is fabricated of a suitable insulating inaterial, and the cap or plug includes a head 3 and a neck il of reduced. diameter. The neck A is snugly positioned in the corresponding end of the interior electrode 2, and the assembly including the interior electrode 2 and the two caps is snugly positioned in the outer electrode I whereby the head 3 oi each cap tightly engages the interior wall of the outer electrode i. This provides that there will be a space between the electrodes i and '2 and also this construction of the caps will prevent accidental movement of the interior electrode 2 toward the outer electrode I.

Each of the caps is provided with a longitudinally extending bore il and communicating with the bore i l is a plurality of transverse or radially extending perforations 8. The perforations 8 in the cap are arranged in registry with similar perforations in the interior electrode 2 and thus communication is established between the bore ll and the space Ei between the two electrodes. Arranged within the outer electrode I is a pair of rings or washers 5 which may be madey of a suitable insulating material and a bushing 'I is provided for each end of the outer electrode I. The bushings 'I serve to maintain the interior electrode 2 immobile in its adjusted position and thereby prevent any longitudinal. shifting of the inner electrode 2 within the outer electrode l. Thus, the bushings i `serve to maintain the inner electrodes 2 in their proper positions and also facilitate the connection of the heater of the present invention to a pipe Si which may lead from a source of supply to a shower I0 or other appliance.

A plug I2 has its inner end arranged in engagement with the interior electrode 2, and the plug I2 passes through an insulating ring i3 which is positioned within a small tube I3', the tube I3 being arranged contiguous to the upper end of the outer electrode I. A casing I6 is mounted over the outer end of the plug I2 and an electric cable or conductor I4 connects the casing I6 to a switch 20. The switch 2l! may be connected to a wire I1 which forms part of an electric line. The neutral line I8 is grounded and may be electrically connected to the exterior electrode I so that the water passing through the heater will have the same ground potential.

After the electrodes have been used for a period of time, they may become covered with a nlm of oxides and carbonates which may reduce the efl'iciency and prevent eflicient operation of the electrodes. Thus, it is necessary that the electrodes be cleaned with a suitable cleaning solution, as for example a solution of hydrochloric acid. To permit such cleaning, a pipe or conduit i5 extends through the wall of the outer electrode i and a cap i9 having a washer therein may be arranged in threaded engagement with the pipe i5. Thus, by removing the cap I9, the hydrochloric acid solution can be poured through the small pipe I5 to clean the electrodes.

It is to be understood that the heater of the present invention can be constructed of different sizes and shapes. Also, the bushings l may have other coniigurations as for example the bushings l may be introduced into the electrode l either by pressure, as shown in Figure 3, or by threading. Further, the bushings 1 may be arranged on the outside of the exterior electrodel if desired. Furthermore, the heads 3 of the caps may be provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending perforations which communicate with the space 6 to facilitate the circulation of the water between the electrodes.

In use, the switch is closed and the water valve is opened to thereby permit the water to pass from the pipe 9 through the upper bushing 'l and then through the upper ring 5. The water then passes through the bore H in the upper` cap and then the water passes through the perforations 8 into the free space S between the pair of electrodes. From here the water passes down through the space 6 and then through the .perforations il in the lower cap toward and through the bore Il inthe lower cap and then through the lower ring 5. Finally the water passes through the bushing l and is discharged through the shower I0 or through any other appliance which may be used. As the .water `enters the space 6 between the pair yof electrodes and closes the circuit, the electric current will pass between the electrodes to thereby heat the water. Since the temperature of the water is a function of its speed, by adjusting the water control valve, the temperature of the water can be readily regulated.

I claim:

1. In an electric heater, an outer cylindrical electrode, an inner concentrically arranged elecu trode, a cap fabricated ofV insulating material and including a neck portion snugly seated in each end of said inner electrode, a head of greater diameter than said neck portion snugly engaging said outer electrode, there being a longitudinally extending bore arranged in each of said caps, the neck portion .of each of said caps being provided with a plurality of radially extending perforations communicating with said bore, there being a space between said electrodes communicating with said perforationls, means for connecting said heater to a water pipe, and means for connecting said electrodes to asource of electrical energy.

2. In an electric heater, an outer ,cylindrical electrode, an inner concentrically arranged elec trode, a cap fabricated of insulating material and including a neck portion snugly seated in each end of said inner electrode, la head of greater diameter than said neck p ortionsnugly engaging said outer electrode, there being a longitudinally extending bore arranged in each of said caps, the neck portion of each orsaid caps being provided with a plurality Yof radially extending perforations communicating with said bore, there being a space between said electrodes communicating vwith said perrforations, means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electrical energy, said means comprising a plug having its inner end engaging said inner electrede, a casing mounted on the outer end of said plug, and conductors for electrically connecting said casing and outer electrode to a power line.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2, and further including means for connecting said heater to a water pipe.

4. In an electric heater, an outer cylindrical electrode, an inner concentrically arranged electrode, a cap fabricated of insulating material and including a neck portion snugly seated in each end oi said inner electrode, a head of greater diameter than said neck portion snugly engaging said outer electrode, there being a longitudinally extending bore arranged in each of said caps, th'ewnec'k portion of each of said caps being provided with a plurality of radially extending perforations communicating with said bore, there being a space between said electrodes co1nmunieating with said perfioraticns, means .for connect ing said electrodes to a source of electrical energy, said means comprising a plug having its inner lend engaging said inner electrode, a casing mounted o'n the outer end of said plug, conductors for electrically connecting said casing and outer electrode to a power line, and .means for connecting said heater to a `water pipe, said means coinprising a bushing snugly engaging each end of said outer electrode, said bushings being provided with a longitudinally extending bore, and an insulated ring interposed between said bushings and caps.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 4, and further including means for introducing a cleann ing solution onto said electrodes.

`6. In an electric heater, an outer cylindrical electrode, an inner concentrically arranged elec-- trode, a cap fabricated of insulating material and including a .neck portion snugly seated in each end of said inner electrode, a head oi greater diameter than said Vneclr .portion snugly engaging said outer electrode, there being a longitudinally extending bore arranged in each of said caps, the neck portion oi each of said caps being provided with a plurality of radially extending pern forations communicating `with said bore, there being a space between said electrodes communicating with `said perforations, means for connecting said electrodes to a source of electrical energy, said means comprising a plug having its inner end engaging said-inner electrode, a casing mounted on the outer end of said plug, conductors for `electrically connecting said ycasing and outer electrode to a power line, and means ier con necting said heater to a water pipe, said means comprising a bushing snugly engaging each end of said outer electrode, said bushings being provided with a longitudinally extending bore, an insulated ring inter-posed between said bushings and caps, and means for introducing a cleaning solution onto said electrodes, Isaid last named means comprising a conduit vextending through said outer electrode and communicating with the space between said electrodes, and a cap detachably mounted on said conduit.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 887,331 Johnson May l2, 190B 986,037 Albert Mar. 7, 1911 2,167,718 Harris, Jr., et al. Aug. 1, 1939 

